DAILY- HOMILY

September 16, 2019 – MONDAY, 24TH Week in Ordinary Time
Sts. Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs
Memorial. Red.

1 Tm 2: 1 – 8 / Lk 7: 1 – 10

Sts. Cornelius, Pope (d. 253) and Cyprian, Bishop (190 – 258), were both martyred for their faith. St. Cornelius defended the faith against the Novatian heretics and died in exile. St. Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, a staunch defender of the faith and ecclesiastical discipline, was martyred during the persecution of Emperor Valerian.

FROM THE 1ST READING: 1 Tm 2: 5 – 6a, 7b – 8
As there is one God, there is one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave his life for the redemption of all. .
. He made me teacher of the nations regarding faith and truth. I want the men in every place to lift pure hands in prayer to heaven without anger and dissension.

GOSPEL READING: Lk 7: 2 – 10
There was a captain whose servant was very sick and near death, a man very dear to him. So when he heard about Jesus, he sent some elders of the Jews to persuade him to come and save his servant's life. The elders came to Jesus and begged him earnestly, saying, "He deserves this of you, for he loves our people and even built a synagogue for us."

Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the captain sent friends to give him this message, "Sir, do not trouble yourself for I am not worthy to welcome you under my roof. You see I didn't approach you myself. Just give the order and my servant will be healed. For I myself, a junior officer, give orders to my soldiers and I say to this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."

On hearing these words, Jesus was filled with admiration. He turned and said to the people with him, "I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith.." The people sent by the captain went back to his house; there they found that the servant was well.

REFLECTION
In the first reading Paul reminds all of the key Gospel message of Christ giving his life for the redemption of all. He enjoins all to pray to God for all their needs.

In the Gospel reading Jesus marvels at the great faith of the Roman officer and cures his servant: "Sir, do not trouble yourself for I am not worthy to welcome you under my roof." "I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith."

The Church acknowledges the presence of God not only in the Catholic Church but in all religions and cultures, among men and women of good   will. Vatican II's Apostolic Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, Gaudium et Spes, speaks of God among all peoples, cultures and religions in the world. God is God and Father of all.

We recall the Roman officer's faith at every Mass before we receive Holy Communion, "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed."

We pray, "Lord, strengthen my faith."

FINALLY, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most..


Have a good day!

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